Obama Signs Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act

Alex Wong/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Obama signed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act Thursday, expanding protections for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

“This is a country where everybody should be able to pursue their own measure of happiness and live their lives free from fear, no matter who you are, no matter who you love. That’s got to be our priority. That’s what today is about,” he said at a bill signing ceremony at the Interior Department.

“This is your day. This is the day of the advocates, the day of the survivors. This is your victory,” he said. “This victory shows that when the American people make their voices heard, Washington listens.”

The renewal of the 1994 legislation, championed by then Sen. Joe Biden, makes it easier to prosecute crimes against women, including domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking. The bill also extends protections to gays and lesbians and women of Native American tribal lands who are attacked or abused by non-tribal residents.

“We’ve made incredible progress since 1994. But we cannot let up -- not when domestic violence still kills three women a day. Not when one in five women will be a victim of rape in their lifetime. Not when one in three women is abused by a partner,” he said.

“I promise you -- not just as your president, but as a son, and a husband, and a father -- I’m going to keep at this. I know Vice President Biden is going to keep at it. My administration is going to keep at it for as long as it takes,” he concluded.